WATERBORO – Frank Sherburne, who has served in the Regional School Unit 57 school system for the last decade, is the leading candidate for the superintendent’s post at the nearby Bonny Eagle school district.

According to School Administrative District 6 board Chairman Lila Wilkins of Hollis, Sherburne has met with each member of the board individually and also met with the full board at its meeting Monday, Aug. 22. The full board, Wilkins said, is set to act on the appointment at its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 6.

As far as Sherburne is concerned, he wants the job, since Bonny Eagle is a larger school district.

“It’s definitely a good opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Sherburne on Tuesday, RSU 57’s first day of school.

Sherburne’s hiring, though not expected to take place officially until Tuesday, seems like a sure thing, according to Wilkins.

“We met last Monday as a board and everyone was agreeable to continue moving forward with the process,” Wilkins said, adding that a salary package would be made public following a confirmation by the board.

Sherburne would come to SAD 6 with three years of experience as RSU 57’s superintendent, as well as about six years as a special education teacher in the district, credentials that Wilkins said qualify him for the Bonny Eagle post.

“We’re excited about this possibility. (Sherburne) is passionate about education and crazy about kids. And he’s a proven collaborative leader,” Wilkins said.

Sherburne, 48, has an extensive special education background. He received his bachelor’s degree in special education as well as a master’s degree in deaf education and educational leadership. Sherburne has taught at the Gov. Baxter School for the Deaf in Portland, as well as public special education programs in Maine and New Hampshire.

Sherburne lives in Kezar Falls with his wife Janet, who teaches third grade in Baldwin. They have two sons, a 17-year-old who attends Sacopee Valley High School and another who is attending John Cabot University in Rome, Italy.

In early July, former SAD 6 Superintendent Suzanne Lukas resigned to lead a school district in Ellsworth. Mark Eastman, a native of Buxton, was hired on an interim basis. Wilkins said Eastman has been valuable especially with finding replacements for about 60 teachers and staff members who either retired or moved out of the district this summer.

“He just walked in and assumed the role. He hired a lot of wonderful staff, so I can’t say enough about Mark. He’s been great,” Wilkins said.

Eastman, Wilkins added, will remain on board throughout the transition period, which could be several months long. If Sherburne is hired, Wilkins said, he would likely need to give Massabesic 90 days notice.

Frank Sherburne